Gaming system including a feature for selecting lucky winning symbols

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally directed to a system for allowing a player to change symbols on an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) during play of a casino game. The EGM enables play of a casino game displaying a plurality of original symbols. The system also includes a memory associated with the EGM, and the memory stores a plurality of new symbols. A symbol selection module is associated with the EGM and the memory, and the symbol selection module allows a player to replace one or more of the original symbols with one or more of the new symbols on the casino game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. ______, filed ______.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Many games of chance and gaming machines have been developed that havevarious features designed to capture and maintain player interest.Traditionally, games garner player interest by providing the player withthe opportunity to win cash awards based upon a player's wager. Forexample, games may include one or more bonus games or the opportunity towin progressive jackpots in order to maintain player interest.

Additionally, over the years, games have grown in both sophisticationand in the types of gaming features used to maintain a player'sinterest. For example, the mechanical reels of traditional gamingmachines have been replaced with video depictions of spinning reels.These video gaming machines may provide a richer gaming experience forplayers by including graphics or animation as part of the game. However,there is a continuing need for games that provide player excitement anddiversity of game play without creating overly complex games thatunacceptably diminish player comfort.

SUMMARY

Briefly, and in general terms, various embodiments are directed to asystem for allowing a player to change symbols on an electronic gamingmachine (“EGM”) during play of a casino game. In one embodiment, the EGMenables play of a casino game displaying a plurality of original symbols(standard symbols normally displayed in the game). The system alsoincludes a memory associated with the EGM, and the memory stores adatabase of a plurality of new symbols (not standard symbols and notnormally displayed in the game). A symbol selection module is associatedwith the EGM and the memory, and the symbol selection module allows aplayer to replace one of the original symbols with one of the newsymbols.

In one embodiment, the EGM includes a touch screen display, and theplayer is able to replace one or more of the original symbols with newsymbols by using the touch screen display. In another embodiment, theEGM includes a touch glass display or any other type of instrument usedto input a player's selection.

In one embodiment, the selected new symbol will become associated with apay table that was previously associated with the replace originalsymbol. The symbol selection module of this system allows for moreinteraction between the player and the EGM. In one embodiment, theplayer can replace an original symbol associated with a jackpot prize onthe EGM with another symbol that the player believes is more “lucky.”

Other features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate by way of example, the features of the various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of an electronic gaming machine;

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of one method for operating an electronicgaming machine including a symbol selection feature;

FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of an electronic gaming machine Setup MenuScreen;

FIG. 4A depicts a diagram of a Game Setup Screen with a Multi-Symbolfield set to ‘Enable’;

FIG. 4B depicts a diagram of a Symbol Configuration Screen listing newlucky winning symbols;

FIG. 5 depicts a base game screen for a slot style game with defaultwinning symbols displayed;

FIG. 6 depicts a Pay Screen showing a payout table and default winningsymbols;

FIG. 7 depicts the base game screen of FIG. 5 with the ‘3 Bar’ symbolselected in a Symbols soft button;

FIG. 8 depicts a Choose Your Lucky Symbol Screen showing a plurality oflucky winning symbols;

FIG. 9 depicts the base game screen of FIG. 5, with the ‘3 Bar’ symbolhaving been replaced with a ‘Smiley Face’ symbol;

FIG. 10 depicts the Pay Screen of FIG. 6, with the ‘3 Bar’ symbol havingbeen replaced with the ‘Smiley Face’ symbol;

FIG. 11 depicts another embodiment of a base game screen for a slotstyle game with default winning symbols displayed;

FIG. 12 depicts the base game screen of FIG. 11 with the ‘Triple’ symbolhaving been replaced with a ‘Yin/Yang’ symbol; and

FIG. 13 depicts a diagram of one embodiment of a gaming system includinga plurality of gaming machines includes a symbol selection feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a systemand method for allowing players to select their own lucky winning gamesymbols from a list during play of a game on an electronic gamingmachine (EGM). In some embodiments, the EGM enables play of a slot stylebase game having multiple reels, with each reel including a variety ofsymbols disposed thereon. This type of EGM also has increasing payoutsbased on different combinations of symbols across multiple availablepaylines. In one embodiment, the EGM enables a player to select thewinning symbols to be displayed on the multiple reels. The EGM maintainsthe player selected winning symbols until the player chooses to selectother winning symbols or return the selected winning symbols back to theoriginal or default symbols. This enhanced interaction between theplayer and the EGM helps maintain the player's amusement at the casino,and thereby, generates more game play and more revenue for the casino.

Players may also try to play with different symbols to “try their luck,”which can increase the gaming duration for the player, and as such,increase the amount of money spent on the EGM. A player can try his luckwith one symbol and then change the winning symbol to another symbol,which he may believe to be luckier.

For the sake of brevity and clarity, the disclosure and example used inherein relate to a slot style game, but those skilled in the art willappreciate that a player may choose and select symbols on any game ofchance or game of skill displaying symbols.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denotelike or corresponding parts throughout the drawings, there are shownvarious embodiments of a gaming machine or EGM 20 presenting a symbolselection feature for selecting and changing multiple winning symbolsfor new lucky winning symbols by the player at the EGM. FIG. 1 depictsan embodiment of one EGM 20, which is a five reel slot game 22. Themachine includes a gaming cabinet 24 that houses a display screen 26.The display 26 in this embodiment is a touch screen system, however, atouch glass system may also be used. The game 22 includes a dedicatedset of buttons 28 having functions such as, but not limited to, acollect button (or cash-out), select lines button, bet per line button,max bet button, and a spin button.

The EGM 20 shown in FIG. 1 also includes a player interface having a setof buttons 32 for the game presented on the display 26. The buttons 32function as input mechanisms and may include mechanical buttons,electromechanical buttons, or touch screen buttons. While FIG. 1illustrates an EGM having both touch screen buttons and mechanicalbuttons, other contemplated embodiments have only mechanical buttons ortouch screen buttons. According to one embodiment, the buttons 32 arebacklit to indicate whether the button is active. In another embodiment,one input mechanism is a universal button module that provides a dynamicbutton system adaptable for use with various games, as disclosed in U.S.application Ser. No. 11/106,212, entitled “Universal Button Module”,filed Apr. 14, 2005 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/223,364, entitled“Universal Button Module”, filed Sep. 9, 2005, which are both herebyincorporated herein by reference. Additionally, other input devices,such as, but not limited to, a touch pad, track ball, mouse, switches,toggle switches, are included with the gaming machine to also acceptplayer input. Optionally, one or more handles 34 may be “pulled” by aplayer to initiate a slots-based game.

In yet another embodiment, a cellular phone or other input device (e.g.,PDA), separate and apart, from the EGM 20 may also be used to inputvarious player choices and information to enhance the player'sinteractive experience with the gaming machine. In this embodiment, theEGM 20 also includes an IR sensor, RF sensor, BLUETOOTH receiver, orother means for receiving input from a cellular phone or other wirelessinput devices. Furthermore, inputting information via these devicesprovides an added level of security as any key presses may be hiddenfrom view. In yet another embodiment, a player may call or send a textmessage or a short message service (SMS) to the EGM 20.

The EGM 20 includes a ticket reader/ticket printer slot 36 that isassociated with a cashless gaming system (not shown). According to oneembodiment, the slot 36 is used for the ticket reader and ticketprinter. Accordingly, the same slot 36 may be used to insert and/orissue a ticket. However, in alternate embodiments, separate slots (notshown) may be provided for the ticket acceptor and the ticket printer.In one embodiment, the ticket reader (not shown) of the cashless gamingsystem is capable of accepting previously printed vouchers, papercurrency, promotional coupons, or the like. The ticket printer (notshown) of the cashless gaming system generates vouchers having printedinformation that includes, but is not limited to, the value of thevoucher (i.e., cash-out amount) and a barcode that identifies thevoucher. In another embodiment, the EGM 20 may allow a player to insertcredit onto the EGM through an electronic funds transfer from a player'saccount. In this embodiment the slot may be a card reader for reading acredit or debit card from the player.

Additionally, the EGM 20 is in communication with a player trackingsystem (not shown). The player tracking system allows a casino tomonitor the gaming activities of various players. The player trackingsystem typically includes a database of all qualified players (i.e.,those players who have enrolled in a player rating or point accruingprogram). Generally, the database for the player tracking system isseparate from the gaming machines. Additionally, the player trackingsystem is able to store data relating to a player's gaming habits aswell as the player's preferences for gaming machine configuration,including a player's preference for lucky winning symbols. That is, aplayer can accrue player points that depend upon the amount andfrequency of their wagers. Casinos can use these player points tocompensate the loyal patronage of players. For example, casinos mayaward or “comp” a player free meals, room accommodations, tickets toshows, and invitations to casino events and promotional affairs.

The player tracking system is operatively connected to one or more inputcomponents on the EGM 20. These input components include, but are notlimited to, a player card slot 38 for receiving a player tracking card,a keypad or equivalent, and a display 40. Accordingly, the gamingactivity of the players may be tracked. Alternatively, the EGM 20includes no slot at all. If the EGM 20 does not include a player cardslot, the players may input player identification via a touch screen,keypad, or other input mechanisms that are associated with the playertracking system in lieu of inserting a player tracking card.

In another embodiment, each EGM 20 includes an Internet connection orother known network connections to link a plurality of EGM's together.According to one embodiment, the Internet connection is used for webbrowsing, prize redemption, or access to other gaming or non-gaminginformation.

The main cabinet 24 of the EGM 20 also houses a CPU, circuitry, andsoftware for receiving signals from the player-activated buttons 28 andone or more handles 34, operating the games, and transmitting signals tothe game display and speakers. In one embodiment, the game 22 and thesymbol section feature are operated by separate processors that are incommunication with one another. In yet another embodiment, the game 22and the symbol selection feature are operated remotely via one or moreservers.

In various embodiments, one or more game programs may be stored in amemory (not shown) comprising a read only memory (ROM), volatile ornon-volatile random access memory (RAM), a hard drive or flash memorydevice or any of several alternative types of single or multiple memorydevices or structures. Optionally, each EGM 20 includes one or more datarepositories for storing data. Examples of information stored by the EGM20 include, but are not limited to, accounting data, maintenance historyinformation, short and/or long-term play data, real-time play data, andsound data. In one embodiment, the data repository also stores displaycontent configurations for various games and gaming machines, include alist or database of lucky winning symbols.

In FIG. 1, the EGM 20 includes a top box 42 on the main cabinet 24.According to one embodiment, the top box is a separate and distinctcomponent that is affixed to the main cabinet. In another embodiment,the top box is an area that is partitioned from the main cabinet.Alternatively, the top box and the main cabinet may be contiguous areaswith the outward appearance of two distinct components. The top box mayinclude a secondary display for displaying game information (e.g., nameof the game, animation, one or more pay tables, game information, one ormore help menus, progressive jackpot or game information, tournamentgame information, or any combination thereof) or non-game relatedinformation (e.g., news, advertisements, messages, promotions, or anycombination thereof). In one embodiment, the secondary display presentsa secondary game such as, but not limited to, a bonus game, progressivegame, or a continuation game of the primary game. In yet anotherembodiment, the top box also includes a display glass that includes thename of the game, artwork, game instructions, pay table, or otherinformation relating to one or more games presented on the EGM 20.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all EGM's 20have all these components and may have other components in addition to,or in lieu of, those components mentioned here. Furthermore, while thesecomponents are viewed and described separately, various components maybe integrated into a single unit in some embodiments.

A symbol selection feature module (not shown) that allows a player toselect and choose different lucky winning symbols to be displayed on themultiple reels of the game 22 may be stored on the EGM 20. The symbolselection feature module can be a processor assembly including aprocessor, memory tangibly embodying instructions which comprise anoperating system and one or more applications. Operating system andapplications are comprised of instructions which, when read and executedby the computer processor causes the function to be performed. In oneembodiment, the symbol selection feature module may be stored on anetwork server that is in communication with the EGM 20 through anetwork.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram is displayed depicting oneembodiment of a method for selecting and choosing a lucky winning symbolto be displayed on the game 22. At step 50, a user selects “setup” 51from a setup menu screen 60 to display a setup menu 62 as shown in FIG.3. At step 52 of FIG. 2, the user selects “game setup” 64 from the setupmenu 62, as shown in FIG. 3, to enter a “game setup” screen 66 as shownin FIG. 4A. At step 54, the use can toggle the field labeled “multisymbol” 68 between “enable” and “disable.” If the “multi symbol” fieldis set to “disable” then the user may exit the setup menu 60 and the EGM20 will present the normal game display without allowing a player tochange or select different winning symbols as shown at step 56 of FIG.2. On the other hand, if the “multi symbol” field 68 is set to “enable,”the user proceeds to step 58 and selects a “symbol configuration” button70 to display a symbol configuration page 72 as shown in FIG. 4B. Thesymbol configuration page 72 displays a list of all available luckywinning symbols 74 that the user may enable. All enabled lucking winningsymbols 74 may later be chosen by a player during game play, anddisabled lucky winning symbols can not be selected during game play. Anynumber of lucky winning symbols 74 may be displayed in the list on thesymbol configuration page 72, and any lucky winning symbol 74 can beenabled. As shown in FIG. 4B, and by way of example only, the symbolsinclude a butterfly, a smiley face, a yin/yang sign, and a mushroom.Once all of the lucky winning symbols that are desired to be enabled areselected and enabled, step 59 is performed, where the user presses a“save and exit” button 76 to exit the setup menu and return to a basegame screen 78 on the display 26 of the EGM as shown in FIG. 5.

In one embodiment, the user navigating through the EGM setup menu screen60 is a casino operator, and in another embodiment, the userenabling/disabling the symbol selection feature is a player who isgranted access to the setup menu of the EGM.

FIG. 5 displays the base game screen 78 with original or default winningsymbols 80 displayed on reels 82 of the slot game 22, and also in a‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84. In this embodiment, there is a left arrow 86and a right arrow 88 on each side of the ‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84 toscroll through the original symbols 80. This screen also includes a‘PAYS’ soft button 90, which when pressed displays a PAYS screen 92shown in FIG. 6. The default winning symbols 80 are displayed on thePAYS screen 92 with associated a pay table 94. Pressing an ‘EXIT’ button96 on the PAYS screen 92 returns the player to the base game screen 78of FIG. 5. Still at step 59 of FIG. 2, the player may press either theleft or right arrows 36 and 38 to scroll through the original symbols 80until displaying the original winning symbol that is to be replaced witha new lucky winning symbol 74.

For example, if the player desires to replace the ‘3Bar’ winning symbol,the player uses the left and right arrow buttons 86 and 88 until the‘3Bar’ winning symbol is displayed in the ‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84 asshown in FIG. 7. The ‘3Bar’ winning symbol may also become highlightedin the base game screen 78. In this embodiment, at step 61 of FIG. 2,the player next presses the ‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84 to activate aChoose Your Lucky Symbol Screen 98 as shown in FIG. 8. Screen 98displays the lucky winning symbols 74 that were enabled at the symbolconfiguration screen 70. The symbol that is to be replaced, in this casethe ‘3 Bar’ symbol, may also be displayed on screen 98. Still at step61, the player selects the lucky winning symbol 74 to replace the ‘3Bar’ winning symbol by touching the screen 98 located above the newlucky winning symbol 74 of the player's choice. At screen 98, the playermay also reselect the original symbol, or the ‘3 Bar’ symbol in thisexample. The player is not allowed to select a winning symbol 74 that isalready present on the base game screen 78. At step 63, the symbolselection feature returns to step 61 if the selected lucky winningsymbol 74 is already present on the game screen 78, and proceeds to step65 if the selected lucky winning symbol is not already in use. Also, twowinning symbols displayed with separate winning amounts on the pay table94 can not be replaced by the same winning symbol.

After selecting the new lucky winning symbol 74 at step 65 of FIG. 2,the new lucky winning symbol 74 replaces all original winning symbols 80identical to the selected winning symbol on the base game screen 78 asshown in FIG. 9. In this example, the ‘Smiley Face’ symbol was selectedto replace all ‘3 Bar’ symbols on the base game screen 78. The new luckywinning symbol 74 (the ‘Smiley Face’ symbol) is also displayed in the‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84 as well as in the base game screen 78. At step65, the pay table is also updated with the new lucky winning symbol 74.Pressing the ‘PAYS’ button 90 instructs the EGM to display the PAYSscreen 92. As shown in FIG. 10, the newly selected lucky winning symbol74 (the ‘Smiley Face’) is now displayed in place of the ‘3Bar’ symbol 80and becomes associated with the pay table 94 previously associated withthe ‘3 Bar’ symbol. The player can repeat this process by selecting asymbol 74 or 80 in the ‘SYMBOLS’ soft button 84 and replacing theselected symbol with a new lucky winning symbol or original winningsymbol 80 from the Choose Your Lucky Symbol Screen 98. Play of the game22 can commence with the new lucky winning symbols 74 being displayed onthe reels 82 of the game

In another embodiment, not shown on the flow diagram of FIG. 2, theplayer may change original winning symbols 80 to lucky winning symbols74 simply by touching the touch-screen (or touch-glass) display 26located above one original winning symbol 80 or one lucky winning symbol74 to be changed. FIG. 11 shows the base game screen 78 with originalwinning symbols 80 displayed on the reels 82 of the EGM 20. As anexample, to change the ‘Triple’ symbol 80, a player touches the locationon the touch-screen above the ‘Triple” symbol, and the symbol selectionfeature module of the EGM automatically changes the ‘Triple’ symbol toone of the previously enabled lucky winning symbols 74. The player maytouch the selected symbol multiple times, and on each subsequent touch,the symbol selection feature module of the EGM 20 changes the currentlydisplayed symbol to the next lucky winning symbol 74 in the list ordatabase. In this embodiment no list of lucky winning symbols 74 isshown to the player. However, the player can cycle through the luckywinning symbols 74 and original winning symbols 80 by touching thecurrently displayed symbol to be changed. Multiple symbols 80 can bechanged to lucky winning symbols 74, and the new lucky winning symbolswill become associated with the pay table 94 previously associated withthe replaced symbols. As shown in FIG. 12, the player selected the‘Triple’ symbol and the EGM changed this symbol to the next luckywinning symbol 74 in the list, which happened to be the ‘Yin/Yang’symbol.

Referring back to the flow diagram of FIG. 2 and step 65, once onesymbol 74 or 80 is changed by the player, the EGM 20 records the changein the system's game history. As required by gaming regulatory agencies,the selection of any new lucky winning symbols 74 will be recorded inthe game history of the EGM 20. To view the game history, a user (casinooperator or player) returns to the setup menu screen 60 as shown in FIG.3 and selects a “history” button 99, which instructs the EGM 20 todisplay the game history on the display 26. All recorded game eventswill be displayed in the history including all new selections involvingthe changing of winning symbols 74 and 80. This step may be necessary toresolve any player's dispute with the base game on the EGM or payout.

At step 67 of FIG. 2, after the player changes symbols 74 or 80 and thepay table 94 is updated, the game 22 can be played with the newlyselected lucky winning symbols 74 in place on the game. Between spins onthe slot style game 22, the player may select and change any symbol toanother symbol of the player's choice. The player also has the option atstep 69 to reset the winning symbols back to the original or defaultsymbols 80 on the EGM 20. If the player wishes to reset the symbols tothe original winning symbols 80, then either the player or casinooperator, at step 71, returns to the setup menu screen 60 (FIG. 3) andselects the ‘Game Setup’ button 64 from the setup menu 62 to return tothe game setup screen 66. At this screen, the user can select a ‘ResetSymbols’ button (not shown) to restore the original or default winningsymbols 80 in the game 22 on the EGM 20. In another embodiment, a resetto the default winning symbols 80 can also be achieved from the ChooseYour Lucky Symbol Screen 98 by including a ‘Reset Symbols’ button onscreen 98. Placing a reset button on screen 98 will allow a player tomore easily reset all symbols to the default symbols 80. After resettingthe symbols, the player may continue to play the game 22 on the EGM 20.

In another embodiment, at the start of a player's gaming session on theEGM 20 having the symbol selection feature, the system may ask theplayer if he wishes to set the winning symbols to be displayed on thegame. If the player wishes, he may select all of the winning symbolsfrom a list of original winning symbols 80 (standard symbols found inthe game) and new lucky winning symbols 74 (symbols that are notstandard and not normally found in the game). The player's selectionswill become associated with the pay table 94, and the game will begindisplaying the player selected winning symbols. At any time during playof the game 22, the player may reset the symbols back to the originalsymbols 80, or the player may select new lucky wining symbols 74 to beassociated with the pay table 94.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a casino gaming system 100 is illustrated. Thecasino gaming system 100 comprises one or more gaming machines or EGM's20 and may include one or more banks of associated EGM's 101. The EGM 20illustrated in FIG. 1 acts as a terminal for interacting with a playerplaying a casino game. Networking components facilitate communicationsbetween a system server 112 and game management units 126 that controldisplays for carousels of EGM's 20 across a network. Game managementunits (GMU's) 126 connect EGM's 20 to networking components and may beinstalled in the gaming machine cabinet 24 or external to the EGM 20.The function of the GMU 126 is similar to the function of a networkinterface card connected to a desktop personal computer (PC). Some GMU's126 have much greater capability and can perform such tasks aspresenting and playing a game using a display (not shown) operativelyconnected to the GMU 126. In one embodiment, the GMU 126 is a separatecomponent located outside the EGM 20. Alternatively, in anotherembodiment, the GMU 126 is located within the EGM 20. Optionally, in analternative embodiment, one or more EGM's 20 connect directly to anetwork and are not connected to a GMU 126. In certain embodiments, theGMU 126 may have the capacity to act as the symbol selection featuremodule.

The EGM's 20 are connected via a network to a network bridge 120, whichis used for networking, routing and polling gaming machines, includingslot machines. The network bridge 120 connects to a back end system 112.Optionally, the EGM's 20 may connect to the network via a network rack122, which provides for a few number of connections to the back endsystem 112. Both network bridge 120 and network rack 122 may beclassified as middleware, and facilitate communications between the backend system 112 and the game management units 126. The network bridges120 and network rack 122 may comprise data repositories for storingnetwork performance data. Such performance data may be based on networktraffic and other network related information. Optionally, the networkbridge 120 and the network rack 122 may be interchangeable components.For example, in one embodiment, a casino gaming system may comprise onlynetwork bridges and no network racks. Alternatively, in anotherembodiment, a casino gaming system may comprise only network racks andno network bridges. Additionally, in an alternative embodiment, a casinogaming system may comprise any combination of one or more networkbridges and one or more network racks.

The back end system 112 may be configured to comprise one or moreservers, and as previously stated, the back end system can house thesymbol selection feature module. The type of server employed isgenerally determined by the platform and software requirements of thegaming system. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the backend system 112 is configured to include three servers: a slot floorcontroller 114, a casino management server 116 and a casino database118. The slot floor controller 114 is a part of the player trackingsystem for gathering accounting, security and player specificinformation. The casino management server 116 and casino database 118work together to store and process information specific to bothemployees and players. Player specific information includes, but is notlimited to, passwords, biometric identification, RFID, player cardidentification, and biographic data. Additionally, employeespecification information may include biographic data, biometricinformation, job level and rank, passwords, authorization codes andsecurity clearance levels.

Overall, the back end system 112 performs several functions. Forexample, the back end system 112 can collect data from the slot floor ascommunicated to it from other network components, and maintain thecollected data in its database. The back end system 112 may use slotfloor data to generate a report used in casino operation functions.Examples of such reports include, but are not limited to, accountingreports, security reports, and usage reports. The back end system 112may also pass data to another server for other functions. Alternatively,the back end system 112 may pass data stored on its database to floorhardware for interaction with a game or game player. For example, datasuch as a game player's name or the amount of a ticket being redeemed ata game may be passed to the floor hardware. Additionally, the back endsystem 112 may comprise one or more data repositories for storing data.Examples of types of data stored in the system server data repositoriesinclude, but are not limited to, information relating to individualplayer play data, individual game accounting data, gaming machineaccounting data, cashable ticket data, sound data, and optimal displayconfigurations for one or more displays for one or more system game.

Of course, one will appreciate that the gaming system 100 may alsocomprise other types of components, and the above illustrations aremeant only as examples and not as limitations to the types of componentsor games used in a casino gaming system presenting a symbol selectionfeature.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that not all systemsincluding a symbol selection feature have all these components and mayhave other components in addition to, or in lieu of, those componentsmentioned here. Furthermore, while these components are viewed anddescribed separately, various components may be integrated into a singleunit in some embodiments.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimedinvention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made to the claimed inventionwithout following the example embodiments and applications illustratedand described herein, and without departing from the true spirit andscope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A system for allowing a player to change symbols on a casino game, comprising: an electronic gaming machine having a touch screen display, the electronic gaming machine enables play of a casino game displaying a plurality of original symbols; and a symbol selection module associated with the electronic gaming machine, the symbol selection module allows a player to replace one of the original symbols with a new symbol.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming machine enables play of a slot style game having reels displaying the original symbols.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the original symbols are associated with a pay table.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the new symbol becomes associated with the pay table previously associated with the replaced original symbol.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the symbol selection module is located in the electronic gaming machine.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the symbol selection module is located on a server in communication through a network with the electronic gaming machine.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a database in communication with the symbol selection module, the database including a plurality of new symbols.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a player tracking system in communication with the electronic gaming machine, wherein the player tracking system includes a database of player accounts.
 9. The system of claim 9, wherein the database of the player tracking system stores information regarding the player's selection of new symbols.
 10. A system for allowing a player to change symbols on a casino game, comprising: an electronic gaming machine having a touch screen display, the electronic gaming machine enables play of a casino slot game displaying a plurality of original symbols; a memory associated with the electronic gaming machine, the memory storing a database of a plurality of new symbols; and a processor associated with the electronic gaming machine and the memory, the processor including a symbol selection module for allowing a player to replace one of the original symbols with one of the new symbols.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the symbol selection module allows the player to replace more than one original symbol with more than one new symbol.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the original symbols are associated with a pay table.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the new symbol replacing the original symbol becomes associated with the pay table previously associated with the replaced original symbol.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor prevents one new symbol from replacing two original symbols.
 15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a player tracking system in communication with the electronic gaming machine, wherein the player tracking system includes a database of player accounts.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the database of the player tracking system stores information regarding the player's selection of new symbols.
 17. A system for allowing a player to change symbols on a casino game, comprising: an electronic gaming machine that enables play of a casino slot game displaying a plurality of original symbols, the original symbols being associated with a pay table; a memory associated with the electronic gaming machine, the memory storing a database of a plurality of new symbols; and a symbol selection module associated with the electronic gaming machine and the memory, the symbol selection module allows a player to replace one of the original symbols with one of the new symbols stored in memory.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic gaming machine includes a touch screen display.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic gaming machine includes a touch glass display.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the symbol selection module is located in the electronic gaming machine. 